Interbike 2008 - Norco Vixa with Darcy Turenne

Sep 23, 2008

For 2009 Norco is happy to unveil their lady's line up of bikes - the Forma series. Factory team rider Darcy Turenne has had a lot of influence and input on the whole line up, but her biggest focus has been on the Vixa. The Vixa is Norco's answer for the ladies out there looking for a freeride bike that won't hold them back and that they can progress on for year's to come.

Have a look at Darcy and the Norco Vixa:
Darcy Turenne talks to us about her Norco Vixa and then we get to see her rip it up on it too:



Based on the ever popular SIX series, the lady's Vixa features lighter weight tubing than the men's frames. Also available in an extra small size with shorter top tubes than the SIX series. The Vixa is spec'd with women specific components, colors and general attention to detail. Darcy has had a lot of input in the final product, but not with out help from other female riders.



Here is the spec of the Vixa:

FrameNorco Vixa(Medical Green)
•152mm of travel
•Sizes XS, S, and M
Rear ShockFox DHX Air 3.0
Fork•Marzocchi 55 ATA
•20 mm Tool less removal
•120-160mm Travel
•Rebound and Air Preload adjustments
HeadsetFSA Orbit
CrankarmsTruvativ double with guard, 170 mm
ChainringsTruvativ 22/32/Bash Guard
Bottom BracketTruvativ Howitzer, 68/73mm
PedalsMTB Flats
ChainKMC Z-9 9 speed
Cassette•Sram PG-950 11-32 T, 9 Speed
Front DerailleurShimano Deore
Rear DerailleurSram X-7, 9 Speed, Medium Cage
Shifter Cable/HousingStock
Shifter PodsSram X-5 Trigger, 9 speed
HandlebarTruvativ Hussefelt(31.8mm)
StemTruvativ Hussefelt(31.8mm)
GripsLock On
BrakesAvid Juicy 3, 7" Rotors
Front WheelKT 20mm front hub laced to Sun MTX 27mm White rim
Rear WheelKT 135x12mm rear hub laced to Sun MTX 27mm White rim - MAXLE
TiresKenda Nevegal, 2.35, Stick-e Rubber w/Kevlar Bead
TubesAxiom
SaddleWTB Speed SHE
SeatpostTruvativ XR double bolt
Extras•$3070 Suggested Retail


To learn more about the Vixa and the rest of the Forma line of ladies bikes please visit:
-norco.com/bikes/mountain/womens/vixa/

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43 Comments

  • + 22 props
flag corbinder69 (Sep 23, 2008 at 19:21) (Below Threshold) show comment
looks like a sick ride, even for a guy!!!!!!!!!!!
  • + 12 props
flag mike-smith (Sep 24, 2008 at 6:17) (Below Threshold) show comment
or a guy could just get the shore/six?
  • + 2 props
flag jeff-hurd (Sep 24, 2008 at 10:42) (Below Threshold) show comment
looks like a sikk bike!

but jsut wondering, why do girls need a specific bike, like i know she tlaked about weight, but is there any other factors that make it better for girls?
  • + 0 props
flag konafully24 (Sep 24, 2008 at 15:48) (Below Threshold) show comment
Ya that is such a sick bike, wish it came in dark green
  • + 2 props
flag statler (Sep 24, 2008 at 21:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
This time Norco put the bent top tube on the right bike, haha.
  • + 2 props
flag bradownie (Oct 8, 2008 at 14:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
jeff-hurd, often a girl's bike geometry has a bit short toptube to compensate for them (on average) having longer legs relative to their height. They also often have narrower handlebars due to narrower shoulders, as well as shorter stems. Also, some female specifics have wider saddles to accomodate wider hips.

The thing is though, not every girl is average, so there's still quite a few who fit better on a men's bike too. Female specific bikes just expand the options available.
[Reply]
  • + 8 props
flag poiuytrew190 (Sep 23, 2008 at 19:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
its pretty dope and im lovin' the medical green
  • + 4 props
flag cotakid (Sep 26, 2008 at 10:57) (Below Threshold) show comment
kinda makes you want a sex change...
[Reply]
  • + 3 props
flag 2big4u (Sep 23, 2008 at 19:38) (Below Threshold) show comment
Pretty sexy bike.
[Reply]
  • + 6 props
flag dylanvarkonja (Sep 23, 2008 at 19:38) (Below Threshold) show comment
Her front rotor was on backwards....

Neat bike though.
  • + 2 props
flag essendonboy (Sep 24, 2008 at 1:43) (Below Threshold) show comment
lol i saw that too
I wouldnt be embarressed riding that beast of a bike
good to see some nice looking female specialist bikes coming through
good for the sport
[Reply]
  • + 5 props
flag konarider112 (Sep 23, 2008 at 19:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
i think guys will end up buying it and making it into sick slopestyle bikes and scottly allens girlfirend will continue to be hot.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag dhbiker4ever199 (Sep 23, 2008 at 20:09) (Below Threshold) show comment
that bike is dope
[Reply]
  • - 8 props
flag sortafast (Sep 23, 2008 at 20:46) (Below Threshold) show comment
man that thing is ugly. Even my wife thinks so.
  • + 11 props
flag dwightthompson (Sep 23, 2008 at 21:26) (Below Threshold) show comment
I applaud your constructive criticism.
  • + 0 props
flag HARDCOREy (Sep 28, 2008 at 13:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
Im sorry, does all criticism have to be constructive?
[Reply]
  • + 8 props
flag BCripper4 (Sep 23, 2008 at 20:46) (Below Threshold) show comment
Haha! I have ridden that track hundreds of times. Good to see the industry making bikes for our biking sisters.
[Reply]
  • + 3 props
flag conair (Sep 23, 2008 at 21:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
she nailed it
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  • - 3 props
flag adreno (Sep 23, 2008 at 21:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
Looks alot like the Transition Syren. Good for Norco to get a bike in the lineup for the chicks....but don't use the "design" word, more like "copy".
  • + 2 props
flag crazeed (Sep 23, 2008 at 21:40) (Below Threshold) show comment
have you even looked at the syren? its a completely different linkage system and the vixa has the swooping top tube and down tube, the syren i less swoopy
  • - 3 props
flag PissedOffCil (Sep 24, 2008 at 8:29) (Below Threshold) show comment
Copy indeed! Copy of last year's Six that is, which is fine with me...
  • + 1 props
flag adreno (Sep 24, 2008 at 12:13) (Below Threshold) show comment
I wasn't referring to the linkage/shock placement. I was referring to the overall look. "Less swoopy"....ok
[Reply]
  • + 3 props
flag alexsin (Sep 23, 2008 at 21:40) (Below Threshold) show comment
After all these years how could norco design a bike with the shortest seat tube ever? Isn't this a freeride bike? Doesn't it have a front derailleur? Jeez.
  • + 1 props
flag whitetux (Sep 23, 2008 at 22:15) (Below Threshold) show comment
it does have a front deraileur, it says in the spec, that will be darcy's on bike so she probs wont have a front deralleur
  • + 1 props
flag whitetux (Sep 23, 2008 at 22:16) (Below Threshold) show comment
and after looking at it again, it does have a front derailleur
  • + 1 props
flag joedaho (Sep 24, 2008 at 3:15) (Below Threshold) show comment
And what the hell has the length of seat tube got to do with anything tbh?
  • - 1 props
flag rickbattam (Sep 24, 2008 at 9:07) (Below Threshold) show comment
alexsin has a great point
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag iNsErTNaMeHeRe (Sep 23, 2008 at 22:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
Nice!
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag nightmareterror (Sep 24, 2008 at 5:46) (Below Threshold) show comment
lol, no she isn't. What does that have to do with her bike? It's a female specific model and will make a big splash for Norco's rep adding this model. I would definetely ride that if given the chance!
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag banks (Sep 24, 2008 at 7:02) (Below Threshold) show comment
I love the frame, as a girl, I am let down by the specs. I would be all over that bike with a different build. They only have one package to buy, at least with the syren you have different builds to go from. Love the frame, not in love with the components.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag dirtybikejapan (Sep 24, 2008 at 7:26) (Below Threshold) show comment
The link and the seatpost look like a tight fit.
It looks like the week link in the chain with this design when it comes to making compact bikes.
Maybe its just me but with the new flowy organic looking front triangle the rear link system is looking a bit dated?
If they could figure out a link system that doesnt interrupt the seat tube and has a system that allows them to make as compact a frame as they like then I think Norco would be unstopable.
[Reply]
  • - 2 props
flag nightmareterror (Sep 24, 2008 at 8:15) (Below Threshold) show comment
Over time Norco will add or remove from the existing model. I can't see them getting any worse!
[Reply]
  • + 4 props
flag oskie (Sep 24, 2008 at 8:47) (Below Threshold) show comment
i watch the video several times over, and NOT for the bikes.
  • + 2 props
flag footplant (Sep 24, 2008 at 9:23) (Below Threshold) show comment
hahaha
Darcy your sexyy!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag godfried (Sep 24, 2008 at 11:50) (Below Threshold) show comment
how come every bike makers is coping Sepcialized Demo models. I meant the front triangle part. Turner did that to his 09 DHR, Rocky Mountain bike did that. who else? I lost count.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag killerkane (Sep 24, 2008 at 17:23) (Below Threshold) show comment
the thing with fsr its hard to design a bike w/o an interrupted seat tube, and the flowy front triangle improves strength while decreasing the amount of material used to do so
[Reply]
  • - 2 props
flag konaspirit (Sep 25, 2008 at 8:09) (Below Threshold) show comment
its a great idea but common the color make me sick!
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag brucethomson (Oct 3, 2008 at 7:52) (Below Threshold) show comment
that is rank man , had an 07 atomik and 07 a.line and thats how norco should have kept the frames . wots with the bendy top tube ? colours that make u feel sick dont encourage hardcore ridin ...nuff said
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag one25forlife (Nov 2, 2008 at 10:06) (Below Threshold) show comment
id buy the really small frame and make a djer outa it =]
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag Uncanny-Valley (Dec 7, 2008 at 12:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
Looking on the Norco website at first, it looked really naff, and what with all the "colours and style appropriate for women" stuff, I thought it was a real joke. Rethinking that now, though a couple of the components are a bit disappointing (they could've at least gone for Juicy 5s on a bike that price). Looks good, and it's a first version; hopefully it improves each year, because it's a really promising start.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag miss-rolo-haze (Dec 28, 2008 at 7:52) (Below Threshold) show comment
I'm thinking of buying one but i want just the frame, does anyone know if thats possible?
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag connen31 (Feb 14, 2009 at 4:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
eww
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag lani-shorelineoftahoe (Jun 13, 2009 at 17:26) (Below Threshold) show comment
Just bought this bike and it is the sickest bike I've ever had. I can actually lift it up when I'm jumping or even just trying to carry it. It's so agile and the low stand over height has saved my ass already.It's a good pedaler too. Darcy was right on the money. This bike is perfect for the girls who want good downhill riding abilities. Now they just need to come out with a line of Vixa's that have a little more suspension.
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